VIZ MEDIA DONATES TO JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI AID
AND RECOVERY EFFORTS

San Francisco, CA, March 17, 2011 – Manga publisher VIZ Media has joined global relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan with a substantial corporate donation to aid the recovery. The company will donate the funds to three prominent organizations – Save the Children, AmeriCares and Architecture for Humanity – working to provide immediate aid and assistance in the affected regions of Sendai and Fukushima.

In addition, VIZ Media is planning additional fundraising efforts with other San Francisco Bay Area companies and businesses, which will benefit Artists Help Japan (in partnership with Give2Asia).

The 9.0
earthquake displaced more than 100,000 children from their homes and more than
380,000 people have been evacuated across the country. Many tsunami-affected
areas are still cut off from relief and Japan remains on high alert for the
three nuclear reactors in Fukushima. More than 465 roads, 43 railways and seven
bridges have been completely washed away.

“We were all
shocked and saddened by the terrible events of March 11th, but we’re
heartened and inspired by resilience of the Japanese people and the tremendous
outpouring of physical aid, money, and global good will that has followed so
quickly,” says Hidemi Fukuhara, President and CEO of VIZ Media. “Save the
Children, AmeriCares, Architecture for Humanity and Artists Help Japan will
provide critical support and aid for the youngest victims of the disaster,
arrange for medical care and social services for all survivors, as well as help
begin rebuilding efforts. We’re honored to contribute to Japan’s recovery, and
encourage our fans to do the same.”

Save the
Children is the world's leading independent
organization for children. The organization’s vision is a world in which every
child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.
The mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and
to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. More information on Save
the Children’s Japan recovery efforts is available at: http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6621121/k.3D08/Japan_Earthquake_Tsunami_Relief.htm.

AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief
and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to
emergency medical needs – and supports long-term humanitarian assistance
programs – for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or
political persuasion. More information on AmeriCares’ Japan
recovery efforts is available at: http://www.americares.org/whatwedo/emergency/japan/japan-earthquake-tsunami.html.

Architecture for Humanity is
a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. The organization seeks to
build a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By tapping a network of more
than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who
would not otherwise be able to afford their services, Architecture for Humanity brings design, construction and
development services where they are most critically needed. More information
on Architecture for Humanity’s Japan recovery efforts is available at: http://architectureforhumanity.org/updates/2011-03-12-sendai-quake-supporting-reconstruction.

Artists
Help Japan is a San Francisco
Bay Area-based charity movement, gathering the force of communities of artists
and creative minds around the world. The project founder was also behind the
2008 Totoro Forest Project in Japan. The fund is responding to the immediate
needs of survivors, as well as short to long- term recovery projects undertaken
by the affected communities. Artists Help Japan is partnering with Give2Asia,
which has a local team based in Tokyo to assess the current situation and to
obtain information on the needs of survivors. More information on Artists Help
Japan and Give2Asia’s recovery efforts is available at: http://give2asia.org/artistshelp.

About
VIZ Media, LLC

Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is
one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga
(graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese
content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and
animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions,
Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese
manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom,
Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga
and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the
popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs,
and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for
audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San
Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.

March 21, 2011 Update: Shueisha, one of our parent companies in Japan, has posted a YouTube video message from Akira Toriyama, creator of DRAGON BALL, DR. SLUMP, and more. Shueisha will donate ALL advertising revenue
from people watching the video to support the relief efforts (no
clicking on the ads necessary). Please show your support, and watch the
video here today!

Subscribe to the VIZ Newsletter

Feedback

Please submit a suggestion, comment or question - we would love to hear from you!

E-mail (optional)

Comments

Note to our visitors in the EU

This website uses cookies and tracking technologies to assist with your navigation, analyze use of our website and products and services, assist with your registration and login, and to assist with our marketing efforts. You may block cookies via standard web-browser settings, but this site may not function correctly without cookies.